Bestowing Office and a Marquisate

Bestowing Office and a Marquisate

While everyone was still immersed in that mood, a eunuch walked in, carrying a severed head in his hands. His hands trembled slightly as he knelt on the ground and said to the Ancient Emperor, "Ancient Emperor, Mo Ce's head is here. May he be buried?"

"Ah, you've said too much. Why did you bring such a thing up here?" As he spoke, the eunuch immediately left. The Ancient Emperor burst into laughter at the sight.

The Ancient Emperor's actions were clearly meant as a warning to everyone: do not even think of showing favoritism or defying him. If he discovered it, this would be their final fate. Lin Yu merely glanced over with an expressionless face.

At the same time, the Ancient Emperor turned to Lin Yu again and said joyfully, "As expected, you are a heroic young talent. I have decided to appoint you Spirit-Pacifying General. Are you willing?" Lin Yu took one look, then shook his head. He had absolutely no interest in matters such as military office; instead, he preferred a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Such an office held the power of life and death in its grasp. Why would Lin Yu refuse it? This had already become the focus of discussion among the civil and military officials. Unlike them, the Ancient Emperor looked at him coldly. He had never considered what he would do if Lin Yu refused this promotion and enfeoffment, and now he was truly somewhat dumbfounded.

"If that is the case, then give me a reason." What the Ancient Emperor wanted was a military talent, and Lin Yu's strength was already plain for all to see—it was certainly not lacking. He only wanted to know why Lin Yu would abandon such an excellent opportunity.

"Long ago, when I returned from studying under my master in the mountains, I encountered a young woman about my age." Before Lin Yu could finish, everyone already understood what he meant. What he wanted was to find that woman.

The Ancient Emperor nodded from his high seat, then laughed loudly. "What is so good about searching for those women? Since you want a spouse, I shall marry my beloved Linglong Princess to you. What do you say?"

The important ministers all sucked in a cold breath upon hearing this. In order to win over talent, the Ancient Emperor truly spared no expense. He was even willing to marry off his favorite daughter to this man.

While they were still pondering the matter, Lin Yu secretly shook his head and said, "Ancient Emperor, it is not that I do not wish to marry, but that I never intended to. What I desire is only a quiet life far from officialdom. I ask that the Ancient Emperor withdraw this decree." He did not place any princess in his eyes at all. What he wanted now was only to leave this place as quickly as possible.

The Ancient Emperor rose to his feet at once and shouted sternly, "Are you saying that my Linglong Princess is not even comparable to some woman from outside?" Lin Yu glanced over again, though he had no idea how many times he had cursed the Ancient Emperor in his heart.

Lin Yu immediately stood and said fearfully to the Ancient Emperor, "Ancient Emperor, that is not what I meant." Lin Yu felt that things were only getting darker the more he tried to explain. He had said only a few words, yet the ministers all drew in deep breaths. What exactly was Lin Yu trying to do?

"Hmph, I think that is exactly what you mean! Is my daughter not good enough? I grant you office and a marquisate, yet you refuse. I wish to marry my princess to you, yet you refuse again. Then tell me—what exactly do you want to do...?" The Ancient Emperor was already utterly enraged. At that moment, the many ministers dropped to their knees and begged him to calm his anger.

"Hm? Ancient Emperor, if that is the case, then there is no need for me to keep beating around the bush. I will speak plainly. I truly have no intention of marrying any Linglong Princess, and I have even less desire to have any ties with the imperial family. Besides, my Lineage has already arranged a fiancée for me. By the command of my parents and the word of the matchmaker, I cannot disobey."

Most importantly, that woman was also the woman Lin Yu loved. There was even less left to say now.

The Ancient Emperor's anger had only just subsided when it flared up again. He roared, "What fine words—by the command of your parents and the word of the matchmaker! I have never heard of any family that could defy an imperial decree of our house. At worst, I shall issue an edict and settle all of this."

He was deliberately sparring with Lin Yu.

Lin Yu stood there, then raised a finger and pointed it at the Ancient Emperor's nose. "Fine, go and try. Could it be that you truly think a single sheet of yellow paper from you can settle every matter under heaven? How laughable, how laughable! No matter how great the Ancient Emperor's power is, it cannot reach into every realm. At worst, my Lineage and I will leave the Ancient Kingdom completely. We would merely lose one homeland—what is there to fear?"

The Ancient Emperor had lived for more than three hundred years. Apart from his own father, this was the first time anyone had dared speak to him like this—and that person was a young man. Back then, his own imperial father had also told him not to regard imperial edicts too highly; they were not tools for controlling the common people. Lin Yu stood there without moving an inch. As he argued with the Ancient Emperor, the guards had already come forward and restrained him.

"Who gave you the nerve to detain Mister Lin? All of you, stand down." At that moment, the Ancient Emperor finally emerged completely from his contemplation. He stood there and looked at Lin Yu once more before continuing, "I grant you the post of Great General. Remain in the imperial capital and teach the lessons of this battle. Do not refuse again, or I will cut off your head."

The Ancient Emperor left his throne and returned to the inner palace. Lin Yu no longer knew what he could possibly say. The entire hall was left with only him, while the ministers discussed the matter as they departed.

"Why do you think the Ancient Emperor values this young man so highly?" the Minister of the Central Department asked a minister beside him, only to stump the man as well.

"What is there to say? Haven't you seen it? This kid is very strong, and he is still young. Do not forget that. Otherwise, why would the Ancient Emperor dismiss the Great General, only to reserve such an office for that brat?" His analysis did carry some truth to it. Lin Yu stood there, still thinking over these matters.

Suddenly, Lin Yu burst into laughter and shouted, "So that is how it is. In that case, I thank the Ancient Emperor." This was a tremendous storm. It was as though the skies above the court were about to change. There were no small number of ministers who had colluded with the former Great General, and now retribution was coming.

As for the Ancient Emperor's intentions, Lin Yu had indeed understood them. Lin Yu shook his head again, then continued, "Giving you a way to save face can also be considered giving me one. It only means that my return home must be postponed."

Lin Yu left the imperial palace and returned to his proper residence. News had already reached the estate, and the entire staff had been replaced...

PS: Early update